CBC Manitoba, Creators Network, "My Happy Place by: Maribeth Tabanera
DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY
DANCE EDUCATION
Growing up as an only child to immigrant parents in the 90s, I spent a lot of time watching TV and listening to music. My earliest memory of dancing was mimicking the dancers on shows like Rap City, Much Music Countdown, and the MTV Awards. I would teach the moves to my cousins, in hopes of performing at our family parties. I am so thankful that my parents encouraged me to join Magdaragat Inc. because it was the first place I received formal dance training and Filipino cultural lessons. While attending Tec Voc High School, I trained with local dance icons Patti Caplette and Sofia Constantini. By the age of 17, I was being invited by my friends to professionally choreograph dance numbers for their debuts (A Filipin@/x coming of age party).
Over a decade later, I continue to pursue training in all movement styles that make me feel happy and at peace. Whether that's a particular dance style, exercise technique, or meditation. I believe that movement is for everyone, and everyone should move. So what are you waiting for? Your open floor awaits! My goal in any class I teach is to make sure I meet students where they are, create a safe and welcoming space by adapting my movement to the students capabilities, but also pushing them to their limits. Most importantly, my main goal is for everyone to have fun, feel energized and leave smiling!
I encourage you to try one or all of my free virtual classes. If you end up doing it record yourself, share it on Instagram and tag me at @maribeth.tabanera @kilusan.productions! I'd love to see ya movin' and groovin'!
I am currently accepting bookings to teach dance for private 1-on-1s, workshop, pre-recorded classes, keynotes and panels. Please send me an email through my contact form for inquiries. Salamat! Saeamat Gid! Thank you!
HIP HOP CLASS WITH KILUSAN
HOUSE CLASS WITH KILUSAN
Above Two Videos by: Bret Sellent of B.O.S.S. Dance Academy
VOGUE CLASS WITH KILUSAN
Video by: BNB Studios via GORGE Festival
"LOLO'T LOLA"
Performed as a part of "Intramural.e" A Théâtre Cercle Molière & Synonym Art Consultation Production presented by National Arts Centre English Theatre’s Grand Acts of Theatre on September 14th, 2020.
In Filipin@/x culture, November 2nd is Undas (All Souls Day.) It marks the end of the Araw ng Mga Patay festival, which lasts from October 31st to November 3rd. Throughout these days Filpin@/xs practice customs and traditions like almsgiving and prayers for the dead that date back to pre-colonial times. Undas 2020 also falls on the same day that a special project I worked on with friends came to a conclusion.
With Intramural.e, we transformed the TCM parking lot into a colourful work of contemporary street art in order to serve as a temporary performance venue for various types of competitive dance styles, including Indigenous Powwow, queer ballroom, and hip-hop categories. This interdisciplinary act of theatre reclaims and honours public community space, highlighting competitive performance styles that have been policed and suppressed in the past, while increasing access to the performing arts in the process.
After much consideration of the performance theme, timeline, and objective. I decided to approach this project in a method I had never attempted before. I wanted the process of creation and performance to be both story-telling and healing for all those involved. At the core of what I love most about Hip Hop culture, is its ability to uplift and strengthen. I am deeply honoured to present to you one of my performance pieces entitled, “Lolo’t Lola.”